DPP Explains Delay in DJ Evolve, Babu Case

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino (left) and DJ Evolve hospitalised at Nairobi Hospital.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino (left) and DJ Evolve hospitalised at Nairobi Hospital.
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The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Tuesday, June 30, explained the delay in the case involving Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and DJ Evolve.

This was preceded by public outrage following a story aired by NTV in which a bedridden DJ Evolve opened up on how his life had drastically changed since the shooting back in January.

A statement from ODPP noted that the case has been dragged due to DJ Evolve not being able to record a statement after his voice was affected.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino addressing a crowd during a past event.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino addressing a crowd during a past event.
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"Prosecution of Embakasi MP Paul Ongili Babu Owino over attempted murder of DJ Evolve has been slowed down by the inability of the victim to record a statement following the shooting which affected his speech.

"According to the IO report, the victim is paralysed and has a speech impediment making it very challenging to record his statement," read the ODPP's statement in part.

Babu was arraigned in court on Monday, January 20, 2020, and was charged with attempted murder and behaving in a disorderly manner.

The MP denied the charge and was released on Ksh10 million bond with two sureties of the same amount and in the alternative, cash bail of Ksh5 million.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the case that was set for mention on Friday, March 20, 2020, was postponed after courts in the country scaled-down operations.

DPP Haji told the Judiciary on Tuesday, June 30, to prioritise the hearing of the case after the Covid-19 disruptions seemed to delay justice for DJ Evolve.

A clip that surfaced from a CCTV in B-Club, Nairobi showed the MP conversing with the DJ before apparently drawing his gun and shooting him. 

In the interview with NTV, DJ Evolve was asked to clear the air over reports that he forgave Babu Owino.

"I left that to God and I'm waiting for the justice system to see what will go through. Aside from that, I have nothing else to say about it," he noted.

A number of Kenyans reacted to the statement from ODPP explaining the reason for delayed justice.

"Time to speed up #DJEvolveSpeaks can be assisted to record his statement now," noted Former Minister of Justice, Martha Karua.

"He was speaking yesterday, wasn he? What then is preventing you from recording a statement with him? You be serious and do the right thing and not what "Mr right" tells you," read one of the comments.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji addresses a press conference at his office in Upperhill, Nairobi on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji addresses a press conference at his office in Upperhill, Nairobi on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
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